tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13094394926762860762017-10-26T16:16:24.988+01:00Revit @ WatermanDarren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-52091258017000852502016-07-28T11:45:00.000+01:002016-07-28T11:45:13.208+01:00Numerical Data Out of Range - A Couple of CulpritsOccasionally when linking CAD files into Revit, the following message is thrown up:<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VMms4NEEsx0/V5nb5-MTu-I/AAAAAAAAALQ/T0JbjhGoeFYi0rOCsyH4_ezSWY3FSL9qACK4B/s1600/TruncMessage.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VMms4NEEsx0/V5nb5-MTu-I/AAAAAAAAALQ/T0JbjhGoeFYi0rOCsyH4_ezSWY3FSL9qACK4B/s320/TruncMessage.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br />While not the end of the world, it can be mildly irritating. After a bit of digging there are a couple of things that seem to cause this: namely Hatches and MText. I thought I would share this here.<br /><br /><u>Hatches</u><br />Hatches, by default, derive&nbsp;their origin from the UCS origin of the file. In order to fix this, the hatches origins must be altered to get them near the hatch itself. This is done by the following:<br /><br /><ul><li>Use 'Quick Select', pick all hatches in the file</li><li>Under 'Properties', check the origins: these will read 0,0</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EIw5uqCz99A/V5nd02iEP9I/AAAAAAAAALc/exOawOot4bkyTbui_4x5N1qWOHbw5G4gACK4B/s1600/Properties1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EIw5uqCz99A/V5nd02iEP9I/AAAAAAAAALc/exOawOot4bkyTbui_4x5N1qWOHbw5G4gACK4B/s320/Properties1.JPG" width="119" /></a></div><br /><ul><li>On the ribbon: Go to the 'Hatch Editor' Tab. Under the 'Origin' panel, select 'Set Origin' and pick the 'Center' option</li></ul><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zUZ5ZX8tCHs/V5neatU_53I/AAAAAAAAALk/wk03zjJG2g0WqoUEjx_fBMgEfdDjq5nfwCK4B/s1600/Hatch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zUZ5ZX8tCHs/V5neatU_53I/AAAAAAAAALk/wk03zjJG2g0WqoUEjx_fBMgEfdDjq5nfwCK4B/s200/Hatch.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The properties should now all be 'localised' to the hatch position﻿</div></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qP48hH6NfKw/V5nezIbLLGI/AAAAAAAAALw/6j-NeZEjR5ke8svmiM3vjqw5Jr6Px1g0ACK4B/s1600/Properties2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qP48hH6NfKw/V5nezIbLLGI/AAAAAAAAALw/6j-NeZEjR5ke8svmiM3vjqw5Jr6Px1g0ACK4B/s320/Properties2.JPG" width="120" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><u>MText</u><br />I'm not entirely sure why this causes a problem, but MText with the three properties 'Defined Width', 'Defined Height' and 'Column' set to anything other than '0', '0', and 'none' respectively will cause the message to appear. Use 'Quick-Select' to pick all mtext and adjust accordingly<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-863m9QdY_6k/V5nhN-ERw3I/AAAAAAAAAL8/nDJrvaBBvRIqJshsjImJyR4zLuMYoC6IACLcB/s1600/MtextJPG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-863m9QdY_6k/V5nhN-ERw3I/AAAAAAAAAL8/nDJrvaBBvRIqJshsjImJyR4zLuMYoC6IACLcB/s320/MtextJPG.JPG" width="144" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm sure these two aren't the only causes of this message. I will update this post in the future if any more come to light.﻿</div><br /><br />﻿Darren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-63699731328420959652015-03-19T00:05:00.001+00:002015-03-19T00:45:28.917+00:00Lookup Tables and a Little Chat - Getting the Type Name into a Text
ParameterI've very recently been&nbsp;looking at&nbsp;using Revit lookup tables for&nbsp;structural families. These&nbsp;are traditionally&nbsp;used in the&nbsp;MEP side of things, but I have been looking for a structural application for a while. In the course of this,&nbsp;one of the things I have been able to achieve is to pass the lookup table's first column 'Type Name' to a text parameter in the family. As my knowledge of lookup tables is relatively new, I assumed this was something widely used and known. At the last London Revit User Group meeting, I was chatting to Jose Fandos of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.andekan.com/blog/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Andekan</span></a> and we got onto the subject of this. He assures me that&nbsp;it most certainly isn't and people would be interested in this little tip. So here goes:<br><br>I created a sample lookup table as follows:<br><a href="https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-i8dcEKniUYQ%2FVQoMLLaUHrI%2FAAAAAAAAAKw%2FijZ7G8rn7Ys%2Fs1600%2FLU1.JPG&amp;container=blogger&amp;gadget=a&amp;rewriteMime=image%2F*" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i8dcEKniUYQ/VQoMLLaUHrI/AAAAAAAAAKw/ijZ7G8rn7Ys/s1600/LU1.JPG" height="106" width="320"></a><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In Revit, the parameters in the test family:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ow14OFq_ZZ8/VQoNUrOnCqI/AAAAAAAAAK4/i7gNXNKCpkY/s1600/LU2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ow14OFq_ZZ8/VQoNUrOnCqI/AAAAAAAAAK4/i7gNXNKCpkY/s1600/LU2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ow14OFq_ZZ8/VQoNUrOnCqI/AAAAAAAAAK4/i7gNXNKCpkY/s1600/LU2.JPG" height="137" width="400"></a><br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">A text parameter is created in the family called&nbsp;'Type Name'.&nbsp; The formula is broken down as follows:</div><ul><li><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>size_lookup</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </em></div></li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><em>Tells Revit it's a lookup command</em></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>(Lookup Table,</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </em></div></li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><em>Refers to the lookup table name in the 'Lookup Table' parameter</em></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>"",&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></div></li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><em>Usually there is a value between the quotation marks. This refers to which column to reference&nbsp;in the lookup table, but in this case&nbsp;&nbsp;we create a 'null' value. This is what allows this method to work</em></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>"NOT SPECIFIED",</strong></div></li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><em>The text value that is used if there is no matching value in the lookup parameter</em></div><ul><li><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Size)</strong></div></li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><em>the lookup parameter value for the lookup formula to reference.</em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em></em>&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm not sure why this actually works, but I suspect that even though the syntax for the formula is correct for a lookup, the omission of a search column reference means it returns the first value it comes across, which is the 'Type Name' in the first column.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hope this is useful.</div>&nbsp;</div>Darren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-39591965018672701462014-02-05T14:03:00.000+00:002014-02-05T14:03:29.693+00:00View Range and Phase FiltersA recent problem arose where phase filters are used&nbsp;to show demolished columns. In 3D and section views, everything appeared fine, but in plan, these columns weren't changing appearance as per the phase filter override. The suspected cause was in the view range for the plan and after a bit of head scratching, it was determined that the columns&nbsp;whose tops terminated within the 'View Depth' band of the view range would ignore the phase filter overrides. This has been recreated in the images below:<br /><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vi-Ad7HJKZU/UvI_YEZLylI/AAAAAAAAAI4/yHk5JX7fK-c/s1600/Projection_None.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vi-Ad7HJKZU/UvI_YEZLylI/AAAAAAAAAI4/yHk5JX7fK-c/s1600/Projection_None.JPG" height="196" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Projection - No Phase Filter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AbngG4-tTHc/UvI_Z0yqUlI/AAAAAAAAAJA/EUy3JDr_q3U/s1600/Projection_Demo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AbngG4-tTHc/UvI_Z0yqUlI/AAAAAAAAAJA/EUy3JDr_q3U/s1600/Projection_Demo.JPG" height="197" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Projection - Phase Filter Applied</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5H7lpt2Gnfg/UvI_u5U97FI/AAAAAAAAAJI/g2hFpKX9bOU/s1600/Cut_None.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5H7lpt2Gnfg/UvI_u5U97FI/AAAAAAAAAJI/g2hFpKX9bOU/s1600/Cut_None.JPG" height="197" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut - No Phase Filter</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp; <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oVIwG-VL9nA/UvI_yeE6kGI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/UMuaUZgiRc8/s1600/Cut_Demo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oVIwG-VL9nA/UvI_yeE6kGI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/UMuaUZgiRc8/s1600/Cut_Demo.JPG" height="197" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut - Phase Filter Applied</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S06i7eCMmg4/UvJASA5HJ6I/AAAAAAAAAJY/j44iM2-Wi1c/s1600/ViewDepth_None.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S06i7eCMmg4/UvJASA5HJ6I/AAAAAAAAAJY/j44iM2-Wi1c/s1600/ViewDepth_None.JPG" height="197" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View Depth - No Phase Filter</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S06i7eCMmg4/UvJASA5HJ6I/AAAAAAAAAJc/skOxY3X1Aak/s1600/ViewDepth_None.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S06i7eCMmg4/UvJASA5HJ6I/AAAAAAAAAJc/skOxY3X1Aak/s1600/ViewDepth_None.JPG" height="197" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View Depth- Phase Filter Applied</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I'm not going to go into a full explanation of how view ranges work, but there are a couple of very&nbsp;good ones by others <a href="http://www.augi.com/library/understanding-view-range" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.revitzone.com/revit-fundamentals/142-view-range-explained" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;that helped me get to the bottom of this.Darren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-12634653879782458982013-11-29T13:58:00.001+00:002013-11-29T13:58:59.592+00:00A Big Thank YouLast week, I was fortunate enough to attend Autodesk's Revit Structure 'Gunslingers' Event&nbsp;at their&nbsp; development office&nbsp;in Krakow, Poland. <br /><br />I&nbsp;would like&nbsp;to extend a massive thank you to <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Krzysztof and the team for their warm hospitality and for giving&nbsp;some of us&nbsp;the opportunity to get a glimpse and test new features, plus a valuable&nbsp;insight into understanding some of the sweat and tears that go into making Revit Structure what it is.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CZ7HnfCSN3o/UpiclkTUeKI/AAAAAAAAAIo/5SsEv2VJnJ8/s1600/Krakow2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CZ7HnfCSN3o/UpiclkTUeKI/AAAAAAAAAIo/5SsEv2VJnJ8/s400/Krakow2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Darren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-856177004879815252013-05-09T10:02:00.000+01:002013-05-09T10:02:16.419+01:00Update on Revit Family Parameters<br />I have heard back from Autodesk regarding the post below. It seems the behaviour described is not by design.<br />They are looking into it.<br /><br />So I guess ........ &nbsp;Watch this space.Mike Hackernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-2446979812826439602013-04-25T18:19:00.001+01:002013-04-25T18:19:43.698+01:00Revit 2014 Family Parameters - Sneaky SneakyI can't seem to find anything that lists this change, but this is a new one on me and could cause some upset generally, which is why I'm giving a heads up<br /><br />Up until now, it has always been possible to mix different case parameters of the same name in a family. You could have a parameter called 'T' and one called 't' and it would sit very happily.<br /><br />It now appears to be a different case in Revit 2014 and this has been swept away. It's not actually apparent with existing&nbsp;families until they are&nbsp;loaded into a project, taking you from this:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4rajhcnAgLw/UXlj2NDUVEI/AAAAAAAAAHk/dsXh7IkWI1k/s1600/130425_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4rajhcnAgLw/UXlj2NDUVEI/AAAAAAAAAHk/dsXh7IkWI1k/s1600/130425_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><br /><img border="0" height="285" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4rajhcnAgLw/UXlj2NDUVEI/AAAAAAAAAHk/dsXh7IkWI1k/s320/130425_1.JPG" width="320" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">﻿</div></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">to&nbsp;this:</div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q0YBc5mhWOw/UXlj3A2ew5I/AAAAAAAAAHw/v8oNHT63h6Y/s1600/130425_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q0YBc5mhWOw/UXlj3A2ew5I/AAAAAAAAAHw/v8oNHT63h6Y/s320/130425_2.JPG" width="277" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In hindsight, it's probably not best practice to have parameters named in this way. I'm guessing&nbsp;we'll just have to take&nbsp;our&nbsp;medicine and get on with it!﻿</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">﻿</div>Darren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-69088511482707626692013-04-11T22:32:00.000+01:002013-04-11T22:32:52.176+01:00Worksets Hopping About a Bit?When using a workshared file, we've found that on occasion, the active workset seems to change itself for no apparent reason. This particular quirk has always stumped us. Recently however, we have got to the bottom of this. I'm not entirely sure if this is a bug or by design, but the following is the behaviour that causes this to happen<br /><br />In this scenario. Worksharing is enabled and 'Workset1' &amp; 'Shared Levels and Grids' are created automatically. In addition, I have added a workset called 'A'<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9uXRmE4JVrc/UWcjZvBJOjI/AAAAAAAAAGs/L8KNJDV9CRg/s1600/A.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9uXRmE4JVrc/UWcjZvBJOjI/AAAAAAAAAGs/L8KNJDV9CRg/s400/A.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />'Workset1' is the active workset. Note the following rules:<br /><br /><ul><li>On opening the workset dialogue, the Active Workset combo box always has initial focus</li><li>The Active Workset combo box can only be populated by open worksets</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jbTwLgZv-q0/UWclMrMBvKI/AAAAAAAAAG0/6E5_CyBD_64/s1600/B.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jbTwLgZv-q0/UWclMrMBvKI/AAAAAAAAAG0/6E5_CyBD_64/s400/B.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Now we decide that we want to close 'Workset1'. On leaving the Workset dialogue, everything is normal and 'Workset1' is still listed in the main Active Workset box at the bottom of the main screen</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tt-sqymiX-A/UWcmYOgGHhI/AAAAAAAAAG8/CcGIZVSkzfo/s1600/C.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tt-sqymiX-A/UWcmYOgGHhI/AAAAAAAAAG8/CcGIZVSkzfo/s400/C.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Now we want to re-open 'Workset1', so we go to the workset dialogue. Under the two rules above, Revit jumps straight to the active workset combo box and says <i>"Hang on, 'Workset1' isn't open, so it's not in the list. Therefore I will leap quick smart to the first entry in the list, in this case 'A'".&nbsp;</i></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a7k1EH-sZZE/UWcnss3kT8I/AAAAAAAAAHI/qje57-AJURI/s1600/D.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a7k1EH-sZZE/UWcnss3kT8I/AAAAAAAAAHI/qje57-AJURI/s400/D.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Because the user's focus is on re-opening 'Workset1' in the table below, this sleight of hand by Revit is easily missed, resulting in the following</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--yG5dbiEY30/UWcocnCZpzI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/l6NpvHNsLd4/s1600/E.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--yG5dbiEY30/UWcocnCZpzI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/l6NpvHNsLd4/s400/E.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So the moral of the story is to remember to set back the active workset immediately after. Hope this helps</div>Darren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-6429160725765553602013-01-30T17:22:00.000+00:002013-01-30T17:22:40.345+00:00Type Catalogue AddendumI posted back in October <a href="http://revit-waterman.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/type-catalogue-tips.html" target="_blank">a tip for editing Type Catalogues from within Revit</a><br /><br />A slight problem with this is sometimes it doesn't work and the batch script returns: <br /><br /><em>'CMD.EXE was started with the above path as the current directory. UNC paths are not supported. Defaulting to Windows directory.' </em><br /><br />By adding the following lines to the top of the script, this will solve this: <br /><br />%~d0 <br />cd %~p0 <br /><br />From what I can see, this is caused by linked files that have <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Path_(computing)" target="_blank">UNC pathnames</a>&nbsp;as opposed to drive mapped. When the Revit model is opened and the links loaded, if the last loaded link has a UNC path, the current directory is&nbsp;set at that UNC path and the script won't run. The lines above pull the drive letter of the running batch script and reset the pathDarren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-89342749404912143012012-10-16T14:03:00.000+01:002012-10-16T14:12:38.538+01:00Type Catalogue TipsThe video below shows a method for setting up Type Catalogues so that they can be accessed from within the model.&nbsp; Essentially, 2 URL parameters are added to the family. The first is pathed to a csv file, which allows much easier editing than the text file. The second points to a batch script, which will copy the csv files to text files for Revit to use as the catalogue to load from. These files must all be held in the same directory <br /><br /><object height="252" width="448"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/q3-poJtFGg0?version=3&amp;hl=en_GB"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q3-poJtFGg0?version=3&amp;hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="448" height="252" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br /><br />This method is quite useful, as you can add types in situ as you are&nbsp;modelling. One thing that would be nice would be if Revit had the ability to reload a family by right clicking the element, as opposed to doing it from the browser window. This would enhance this method further and would also be more intuitive, as you don't have to shift your focus from the model to the browser and back againDarren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-15467871662448980802012-09-27T15:16:00.001+01:002012-09-27T15:16:51.212+01:00Revit Needs to Go Back to SchoolHere's a simple maths problem.&nbsp;Take a circle of radius 10. This radius could be any unit of measurement; &nbsp;millimetres,inches,light years,baby steps. To find the area of this circle, you apply the formula: <br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">πr²<br /><br />Therefore the area of our circle is 3.14159&nbsp;x (10²) = 314.159 <br /><br />Seems simple enough?<br /><br />Not according to Revit<br /><br />Draw a filled region using a circle of radius 10.<br />Firstly, do this using metric units (mm &amp; mm²) and you get:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XrTIakGwf2g/UGRXCb7W1GI/AAAAAAAAAFw/Lq37_Omo3U8/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" kea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XrTIakGwf2g/UGRXCb7W1GI/AAAAAAAAAFw/Lq37_Omo3U8/s400/1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Now do this in imperial units (decimal in &amp; in²) and you get:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YnLDstLtH_E/UGRYmI8UtzI/AAAAAAAAAF4/Po8UTKRsotc/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" kea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YnLDstLtH_E/UGRYmI8UtzI/AAAAAAAAAF4/Po8UTKRsotc/s400/2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The metric figure is 99.98% accurate, the imperial a little closer.&nbsp;Big&nbsp;deal you may say, and in most cases you'd&nbsp;be correct, certainly in a small example like this. But what if&nbsp;I take this circle and make it bigger, then I extrude it to make some 3D geometry, then I copy this around many times, then I want to know the volume of these elements?&nbsp; Small errors start to compound into more significant overall errors<br /><br />pi is a constant. Revit knows this is a circle. So why the discrepancy?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Darren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-41751449750467620172012-08-02T10:20:00.000+01:002012-08-02T10:20:22.027+01:00Look No Hands! - Formula Free Positive and Negative OffsetThe following video outlines a method for achieving positive and negative offset, using a blank(ish) nested Generic Model family. The offset value of this family, once it is nested,&nbsp;can then be through-linked to a parameter in the host family and under certain conditions, can then control geometry<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="252" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/j3DlVzkNBRs" width="448"></iframe><br /><br /><br />The first part of the video demonstrates the creation of the blank 'plane' family. Essentially, the steps are follows:<br /><br /><ul><li>Create a new family from the 'Metric Generic Model' template (or its imperial equivalent)</li><li>Under 'Family Category and Parameter's, ensure only 'Work-Plane Based' is checked</li><li>In an elevation view, set the reference plane running along the level line to 'Strong Reference'</li><li>In the plan view, put in two model lines along the reference planes and lock off. Set to 'Not a Reference'. These lines are provided purely for visual reference once the family is nested</li><li>Under the family parameters, add a new yes/no instance parameter 'Lines Visible' </li><li>Select the model lines and link their visibilty parameter to this. This will allow visibilty control of the lines once nested</li></ul>This now completes the 'plane' family. <br /><br />In order to use this, create a new family and load this in. This can then be placed on any workplane (ie named reference planes and levels) and the offset from workplane&nbsp;controlled from a parameter in the family by linking the two together.&nbsp;<br /><br />Above I stated that this is subject to certain conditions. Essentially, you can only control the geometry by locking the <u>sketch work of the solid</u>, not the solid itself. For instance, if you place an extrusion and use the solid's drag handles, as opposed to the sketch line for that edge, it won't work. The same is true for sweeps, you must lock the path sketch line itself, not the solid. The video goes on to demonstrate this behaviour in action.<br /><br />Hope this helps and enjoy!Darren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-26251374466552601162012-07-12T17:43:00.001+01:002012-07-12T17:43:58.465+01:00Sharp Elbows - New Revit 2013 'Structural Material' Parameter and Model Upgrade ProblemsThe purpose of this post is to shed a bit of light on a Revit 2013 model upgrade problem. It will also assume a certain level of Revit knowledge<br /><br />The materials functions have been seriously overhauled for Revit 2013. <br />On the Structures side, a new built-in parameter 'Structural Material' has been introduced.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b8pQNLDVbbc/T_7xId1DpxI/AAAAAAAAAFk/_V4kz6VzpCY/s1600/SM_2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b8pQNLDVbbc/T_7xId1DpxI/AAAAAAAAAFk/_V4kz6VzpCY/s320/SM_2013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />This parameter is non-modifiable and non-removable. It can only be altered from 'Instance' to 'Type' and vice-versa. The function is by design and appears to be for the purpose&nbsp;of using extended information for calculation and to provide a more fixed and stable platform in the structural model for third party analysis software linking<br /><br />When family files are updated in Revit 2013, the upgrade elbows out any existing material parameter and replaces&nbsp;it with this. <br /><br />However, we have discovered a slight complication with this. Take specifically families&nbsp;which have a nested component, and the material parameter in this nested component is linked to&nbsp;a material parameter&nbsp;in the host. <br /><br />If you open the family file&nbsp;directly in Revit 2013, the upgrade process will 'sever' this link, but it will upgrade. <br /><br />If you are upgrading a project that contains such a family, the upgrade will fail for these elements and Revit will require that these&nbsp;are deleted from the model before continuing. This&nbsp;is happening here with our Pile Cap families, which have a Pile family nested inside. <br /><br />To get around this, you have to open the project model in the previous Revit version and edit the offending families to de-couple the material parameter link. The model will now upgrade in Revit 2013. You can now&nbsp;re-edit these families to re-couple the parameters, then reload back into the model.&nbsp; You may also want to consider changing the previous material parameter to the new 'Structural Material' to take advantage of the new functionality<br /><br />I trust this helps and&nbsp;is clear, but please feel free to commentDarren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-71292258231423310222012-02-02T14:02:00.000+00:002012-02-02T14:02:38.864+00:00Adjusting the Workplane of Multiple Beams - When Revit Says 'No'I've never quite pinned down why this happens, but on occasion, when trying to adjust the workplane of a selection of beams, the dialogue greys out<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6-rP7KyHfMM/TyqRWxYlIlI/AAAAAAAAAFE/8ha6SzCy80U/s1600/Image1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6-rP7KyHfMM/TyqRWxYlIlI/AAAAAAAAAFE/8ha6SzCy80U/s1600/Image1.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQGIEtNip-c/TyqSRZILFVI/AAAAAAAAAFM/uFXU6PJ0OkE/s1600/Image2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQGIEtNip-c/TyqSRZILFVI/AAAAAAAAAFM/uFXU6PJ0OkE/s320/Image2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />As I see it, there are three different workarounds<br /><div></div><ul><li>Cut &amp; Paste by 'Selected Level'</li><li>Select Individually</li><li>Hitch a Ride in a Group</li></ul><u>Cut &amp; Paste by 'Selected Level'</u><br />This is the easiest option and is fine if you haven't got any annotation<br /><br /><u>Select Individually</u><br />This is fine until you hit a certain point, where the original problem kicks in. One visual indicator is that providing the 'Pick New' button is still lit, you will be able to change the workplane. If you hit the limit, just use shift+click and remove the last beam selected<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1aKV84emvv8/TyqUOklHZqI/AAAAAAAAAFc/iwr3KPo3LX0/s1600/Image3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1aKV84emvv8/TyqUOklHZqI/AAAAAAAAAFc/iwr3KPo3LX0/s320/Image3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><u>Hitch a Ride in a Group</u><br />You have a view with beams that&nbsp;are annotated with tags.<br />You want to amend the workplane of&nbsp;some of them, while still showing the beams and maintaining the tags in that view. Select the beams and the tags and group them together. This will&nbsp;create a model group with an attached detail group.&nbsp;Change the level of the group to the required level, then ungroup and delete the group from the project browser. The beams should now be at the amended level. The tags will show, providing the new level is within the view range of the view.Darren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-7878403637009194312012-02-01T14:30:00.001+00:002012-02-01T14:31:15.787+00:00Section Marks - Some Observations<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">A problem that seems to come up&nbsp;sometimes is getting section marks to look consistent on a series of floor plans. For grids and levels, the 'Propagate Extents' function serves this purpose, but doesn't extend to section marks. In absence of this, I set out to discover the rules that dictate how section marks behave in relation to views</span><br /><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span><br /><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">The Scenario</span><br /><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hEEYQ6NGIHk/TylDVuKh5_I/AAAAAAAAAEk/-83kkEEG3T0/s1600/Image1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hEEYQ6NGIHk/TylDVuKh5_I/AAAAAAAAAEk/-83kkEEG3T0/s400/Image1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">The plan on the right (Level 1) is the view in which the section mark was placed. Both views are set to an identical crop box. The extents are at the border between the pink and blue shading (more on this in a minute)&nbsp;&nbsp;As you can see, the marks display as required</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m-mItePJDKM/TylFFi80QjI/AAAAAAAAAEw/hLvd_9If4xI/s1600/Image2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m-mItePJDKM/TylFFi80QjI/AAAAAAAAAEw/hLvd_9If4xI/s400/Image2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">Now in the plan on the left (Level 2), the&nbsp;view crop is adjusted. All four sides are within the shaded areas and the section mark remains unaffected</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5KHKBrT96jM/TylGU1ad8lI/AAAAAAAAAE8/0AGC7T4mrVA/s1600/Image3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5KHKBrT96jM/TylGU1ad8lI/AAAAAAAAAE8/0AGC7T4mrVA/s400/Image3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">Moving one of the crop extents outside of this shaded area, the section mark revokes to its default initial view. </span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">Conclusion</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">In short, there is a zone of 63.5mm (or 2.5" in old money), multiplied by the view scale. </span><br /><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">This is applicable&nbsp;inside and outside the crop extents. (shown here as&nbsp;pink and blue).&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">It relates&nbsp;to the view where the section mark&nbsp;is placed and governs the display in other views. Should the original view crop extents&nbsp;change, this zone will amend with it. Providing all four extents in any other views are within this zone, the section mark will remain unaffected</span><br /><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><br />&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">In standalone views (ie non-dependent), the best way to control this is through a scope box. In dependent views, it is best to place and adjust the section mark in the 'Child' view, rather than the 'Parent View'.</span>Darren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-41590983358303569872012-01-23T14:21:00.000+00:002012-01-23T14:21:54.315+00:00Add Spot Levels to a Topography Section - A WorkaroundA slight annoyance in Revit is that you can't add a spot level to a topography in a section view. The following video shows a&nbsp;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workaround" target="_blank">workaround</a>&nbsp;for this. Essentially, you isolate the topography in the view and export to a dwg file. In Autocad, delete everything except the hatch pattern. This is then re-linked ('Current View Only' & 'Auto Origin to Origin') back into Revit as a 'background'. Revit will now allow you to place spot levels onto the hatch pattern. If the topography changes, you'll need to repeat the process<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="288" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DJ7iW-byJyA" width="385"></iframe>Darren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-67976277227298910142012-01-23T13:55:00.000+00:002012-01-23T13:55:15.354+00:00Get a Little Extra from a Graphical Column ScheduleThe following video demonstrates a method for specifying connection types using labels in a Graphical Column Schedule. This is achieved by nesting a Generic Annotation family inside a Connection Symbol family. The Connection Types are then set up in the project under 'Structural Settings'. This is particularly useful if you need to show this information without modelling every single connection, for instance at a preliminary design stage<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="288" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LTmgDRO3fHE" width="385"></iframe>Darren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-14707111448679784292012-01-04T14:19:00.000+00:002012-01-04T14:19:46.193+00:00Trace a Spline in a Linked Dwg File and Some Recommended ReadingThe scenario. You get a dwg file for overlay. The architect has drawn a beautiful sweeping curved &nbsp;edge to&nbsp;their building, You link the dwg file into your model and see its a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spline_(mathematics)" target="_blank">Spline</a>.<br /><br />Which presents two problems:<br /><ul><li>You can't trace over it in Revit</li><li>You can't set it out. And if you can't draw it, they can't build it</li></ul><br />Fortunately, you can use the 'Flatten' command in Autocad to turn it to a polyline of arcs. By then exploding the polyline, you are left with a series of arcs that you can pick in Revit and also set out. The following short video demonstrates this<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="252" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8Mp5wtA7cuM" width="336"></iframe><br /><br />On another note and as a supplement to this, I recently came across <br />'The CAD Setter Out' blog by Paul Munford. For people who regularly have to clean up third party CAD files for use in Revit (or generally), this is comprehensive and highly useful resource. Its written generally from the CNC/Fabrication perspective, but is very pertinent reading to the designer. I'd recommend the following posts as a starter<br /><br /><a href="http://cadsetterout.com/autocad-tutorials/cad-to-cam-cleaning-up-dwg-files-for-cnc/" target="_blank">From CAD to CAM, Cleaning up 2D DWG files for CNC.</a><br /><br /><a href="http://cadsetterout.com/autocad-tutorials/how-to-optimize-your-autocad-dwgs/" target="_blank">How to optimize your AutoCAD DWG drawing files</a><br /><br /><a href="http://cadsetterout.com/personal-posts/why-setter-outs-arent-designers/" target="_blank">Why Setter Outs aren’t (and don’t want to be) Designers.</a>Darren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-77451950036124920172011-11-17T13:45:00.000+00:002011-11-17T13:45:30.754+00:00Secant Pile Wall - A MethodWe get a few enquiries regarding&nbsp;Secant Pile walls, so thought it would be a good topic to cover<br />This will be broken down into a couple of posts. The first, this one, will cover a basic method to get up and running. The second post will cover a couple of more advanced details.<br /><span style="background-color: #e1e1e1;"></span><br />The method involves creating a Generic Model family, then placing this into an In-place Wall family in the project. This In-place 'container' ensures that the piles display correctly in the project (ie hidden lines shown). I'm not a huge advocate of in-place families in general, but this is one instance where they have a good use.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="279" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Pbb2kZb7SJA?hl=en&amp;fs=1" width="340"></iframe><br /><br />The first thing to do is to create a diameter driven circular profile family. This isn't covered in the video, but for reference, refer to&nbsp;a&nbsp;previous post <a href="http://revit-waterman.blogspot.com/2010/12/starter-for-10-radius-v-diameter.html" target="_blank">here</a><br /><br />The next stage is to set up some shared parameters as follows:<br /><br />'Pile Size Male' - Length<br />'Pile Size Female' - Length<br />'Pile Length Male' - Length<br />'Pile Length Female' - Length<br />'Pile Crs' - Length<br /><br />We're now ready to create the family. It consists of a Generic Model 'Female' Pile family nested into the main 'Male' Pile family.<br /><br />Create a new Generic Model Family and name 'GEN_Secant Female". Add the shared parameters above&nbsp;as follows:<br /><br />'Pile Size Male' - Type - set initial value to 900<br />'Pile Size Female' - Type - set initial value to 600<br />'Pile Length Female' - Instance<br />'Pile Crs' - Type -&nbsp;set initial value to 600<br /><br />In addition, add a family parameter 'Pile Return Angle' as an angle parameter - set to Instance<br />Load in the circular profile family and add the geometry as per the video. Close and save<br /><br />Next is to create the main family:<br /><br /><ul><li>Open the 'GEN_Secant Female' and save as 'GEN_Secant'</li><li>Delete the void elements. </li><li>Add a reference plane as shown</li><li>Keeping the existing parameters, now add the shared parameter 'Pile Length Male'. Set to&nbsp;Instance. Also, create a new family yes/no parameter 'Pile Female'</li><li>Pick the solid and swap the female profile for the male profile. Delete the female profile. </li><li>Change the length dimension from 'Pile Length Female' to 'Pile Length Male'. </li><li>Load 'GEN_Secant Female' into this family. Place an instance of this, lock off to the reference planes and link parameters as shown</li></ul><br />Now load the family into the project. Create a new in-place family of&nbsp;type 'Wall' and place&nbsp;instances of&nbsp;secant pile as desired.<br /><br />On a final note to <span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;, &quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nikolajs who contacted us regarding this; I tried to reply to your query, but it was bounced back. Hopefully this will help you out</span>Darren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-86920551210764359262011-09-05T22:00:00.001+01:002011-09-14T13:59:45.161+01:00Rotate a Generic Annotation 360° and Beyond - A MethodThe following video outlines a method for rotating a Generic Annotation through 360°. In the example, a north arrow is nested into a drawing sheet. This builds on a previous post&nbsp;<a href="http://revit-waterman.blogspot.com/2011/01/happy-new-year-rotating-tags.html">here</a>, regarding rotating tags. This method however, solves the problem with the array breaking at 0°/360°. The main points are outlined below:<br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YjP3vXkq6Z0?hl=en&amp;fs=1" width="425"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><ul><li>Create a Generic Annotation family and load into a drawing sheet</li><li>Insert the annotation</li><li>Now to set up the array. A bit of reverse logic is required here. Firstly, rotate the element by an angle, in this case 120°. Make sure this is from the rotation point you want to use</li><li>Now draw a second element. In this case, I have added an invisible circle. The purpose this serves is to allow all elements, except the one we want to show, to be excluded from the groups formed by the array. If the array group&nbsp;contains only one element, this won't work; Revit will delete the group and the array along with it. The aim is to leave 'empty' group containers</li><li>Pick the annotation and the circle. Pick 'Array'. Ensure 'Group and Associate' is checked and also that the 'Last' radio button is selected. Array through the same angle, with rotation at the same point, as the earlier rotate operation. This should bring the end of the array back to 0°</li><li>With these settings, the array will always rotate leaving the last element in a static position, in this case, back at 0°</li><li>Now exclude all elements from the array groups as shown, leaving only the annotation at the 120° angle in place&nbsp;</li><li>Hover over the rotation point area and tab. The array looks like a slice of pie</li><li>Add an angular dimension to the array. You may need to tab to ensure you get the correct lines</li><li>Pick the dimension and add an angle parameter</li><li>Load the sheet into a new project and spin the angle to your heart's content</li></ul>Darren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-25591792815514221442011-06-08T19:05:00.000+01:002011-06-08T19:05:42.543+01:00'Date & Time Stamp' for Generic Annotation FamiliesThe following video outlines a method for getting the Date/Time stamp parameter available to Title Block families into Generic Annotation families. The example shown is an update to the status banner that we use on drawing sheets.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2IMbu_E7rLo?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2IMbu_E7rLo?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />The main points are as follows:<br /><br /><ul><li>Open the Generic Annotation family you want to edit (or start one from scratch)</li><li>Create a new label. Under 'Family Category &amp; Parameters', change the category to 'Title Blocks'. This will open up the 'Date Time Stamp' parameter. Apply this parameter to the label</li><li>Select all labels in the family and cut to the clipboard</li><li>Under 'Family Category &amp; Parameters', change the category back to 'Generic Annotation'</li><li>Paste the label elements back to the same place</li><li>If working on an existing family, as demonstrated in the video, it will mess up some of the categories and labels. These now need to be corrected.&nbsp;If starting from scratch, do the 'Date Time Stamp' steps above first, to avoid any of this re-work</li><li>Please note that this built-in 'Date Time Stamp' takes its format from the Windows system settings</li></ul><div>That's pretty much it. Enjoy</div>Darren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-83157280496551262562011-05-09T20:46:00.001+01:002011-05-09T20:54:50.038+01:00Create a Cellular Beam Family - A Method - Part 5 - Structural Framing Cellular Beam Family<object height="275" width="342"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5kRlD8qPnro?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5kRlD8qPnro?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><ul><li>Create a type catalogue txt file from the earlier created csv file. The filename must match the name of the 'Generic Model Steel Half Beam' family</li><li>Create a new Structural Framing Family from the 'Metric Structural Framing - Beams and Braces' template</li><li>Delete the elements and amend the 'Length' value to 15000 as shown</li></ul>Add the following family parameters and set to instance and as a reporting parameter:<br /><ul><li>Section Length -&nbsp;<i>(Length)</i></li></ul>Add the following parameters from the shared parameter file and set to type:<br /><div><ul><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Cell Pitch -</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>(Length)</i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Cell Diameter -</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>(Length)</i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></li><li>Section Top<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;-</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>(Family Type : Generic Model)</i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></li><li>Section Top Depth<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;-</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>(Length)</i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></li><li>Section Btm<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;-</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>(Family Type : Generic Model)</i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></li><li>Section Btm Depth<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;-</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>(Length)</i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></li></ul><div><br /></div><div><ul><li>Now load in the Steel Half UB Generic Family, selecting the required types. In this case, I've loaded every size, but you can load only the ones you need to keep down the file size. The more observant will ask 'why not make this family shared and load it from the project?' &nbsp;This is a valid point, but using a shared family means you can't curve the beams. If this is not an issue, consider the shared option to optimise performance</li><li>In a plan view, insert a Half UB Section. Ensure 'Place on Workplane' is selected. Lock off to reference planes as shown</li><li>Dimension the inner end reference planes and label with the 'Section Length' parameter</li><li>Pick the Half UB Section. Through link the parameters as shown. Set the label to the 'Section Top' parameter</li><li>In a 3D view, insert another Half UB Section. Ensure 'Place on Face' is selected and pick the underside face of the web of the top section.&nbsp;</li><li>Lock off to reference planes and through-link the parameters as per the top section. In this case however, set the label to the 'Section Btm' parameter and through-link the &nbsp;'D' parameter to the 'Section Btm Depth' parameter</li></ul><br /><ul></ul><div>I hope all this will be of help. Enjoy, and please feel free to comment with any queries</div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i><br /></i></div></div><ul></ul>Darren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-11993532661363706302011-05-09T20:45:00.002+01:002011-05-18T21:01:10.422+01:00Create a Cellular Beam Family - A Method - Part 4 - Generic Model Steel Half Beam Family<div>This video shows how to create the Steel UB Half beam to be nested into the Cellular Beam Family. The main points are outlines below:<br /><br /><object height="275" width="342"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KLL23JijRmM?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KLL23JijRmM?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /></div><ul><li>Create a new family from the 'Metric Generic Model' template</li><li>Under 'Family Category and Parameters', uncheck 'always vertical' and check 'work plane based'&nbsp;</li><li>Add a family parameter 'Length'. Set this to instance</li><li>In plan, add a reference plane. Dimension the reference planes as shown and label the dimension with the 'Length' parameter. Add a round easy figure, in this case 15000. Make it fairly long, to give plenty of breathing room for the cell void array</li></ul>Add the following family parameters and set to instance:<br /><ul><li>Cell Run Dim - (Length)</li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Cell Qty -</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">(Integer)</span></span></i></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Cell End Dim -</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">(Length)</span></span></i></span></i></li></ul><div><i></i><br /><i><div style="font-style: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Add the following family parameter and set to instance. Add value as per the video:</span></i></div><ul style="font-style: normal;"><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">D -</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">(Length)<i> -&nbsp;</i>(Depth of Section)</span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></li></ul></i></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Add the following family parameters and set to type. Add values to the parameters as per the video:</span></i><br /><ul><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">B -</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">(Length)</span></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>&nbsp;-&nbsp;</i>(Width of Section)</span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">T -</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">(Length)<i>&nbsp;</i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>-&nbsp;</i>(Flange Width)</span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">t -</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">(Length)&nbsp;</span></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>-&nbsp;</i>(Web Thickness)</span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">r -</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">(Length)<i> - </i>(Root Radius</span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">)</span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></li></ul><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">These should correspond to the parameters created in the 'Profile Steel Tee Family'</span></i><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i><br /><div>Add the following parameters from the shared parameter file and set to instance.&nbsp;<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Add values to the parameters as per the video: (Note, the video shows type parameters for these; this was an error)</span></i></div><div><ul><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Cell Pitch -</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">(Length)</span></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Cell Diameter -</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">(Length)</span></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></span></i></li></ul><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Add formulas to the parameters:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i><br /><i></i><br /><i><ul style="font-style: normal;"><li>Cell Run Dim -&nbsp;(Cell Pitch * Cell Qty) - Cell Pitch</li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Cell Qty -</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Length/Cell Pitch</span></i></li><li><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Cell End Dim -</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">(Length - Cell Run Dim) /2</span></i></span></i></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Next onto creating some geometry</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Load the Profile Tee &amp; Cell Half Void families</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Under the project browser, click each of the loaded families above and through link the parameters as shown</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Create a new solid sweep using the Tee profile. Lock of the sweep path as shown</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Add symbolic lines. Set the workplane to the top flange, use the pick tool to the web lines and lock off and dimension as shown.&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Add a cell void to the face of the web as shown</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">In elevation, add a reference plane, dimension and label with the 'Cell End Dim' parameter</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Align the cell void to the reference planes as shown and lock. Under the properties for the cell void, uncheck the 'visible'&nbsp;</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Pick the cell void and the reference plane as shown. Select the linear array command, check 'Group and Associate', 'Last' and 'Constrain'. label the array number dimension with the 'Cell Qty' parameter</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Dimension the reference planes in the first and last groups of the array. Label this with the 'Cell Run Dim' parameter</span></li></ul></div></i></div></div>Darren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-24263546819852566082011-05-09T20:43:00.001+01:002011-05-09T20:54:17.558+01:00Create a Cellular Beam Family - A Method - Part 3 - Generic Model Cell VoidThe next video outlines the creation of the void cut that will be nested in the Half Beam family. The stages are as follows:<br /><br /><object height="275" width="342"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/a9zy3LbGYbw?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/a9zy3LbGYbw?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><ul><li>Create a new family from the 'Metric Generic Model Face Based' template</li><li>From the shared parameter file created earlier, add 'Cell Diameter' and make it a type parameter. Also, add a family parameter 'Void Depth', also a type parameter</li><li>In plan, add a semi-circle void extrusion and dimension as shown. Set the dimension to the 'Cell Diameter' parameter</li><li>In section, create a reference plane below the level mark. Drag the shape handles of the void to the level and the reference plane and lock off. Dimension the reference plane from the level and set to the 'Void Depth' parameter</li><li>Now cut the extrusion to the void using the 'Cut' command</li></ul>Darren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-12673983666911251782011-05-09T20:42:00.001+01:002011-05-09T20:54:05.612+01:00Create a Cellular Beam Family - A Method - Part 2 - Profile Tee Family<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Profile Tee Family</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is required for the the Half Beam Sections. The following video shows how to put it together. Start from the 'Metric Profile' template</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><br /><object height="275" width="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/54qiCnKG0S4?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/54qiCnKG0S4?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Darren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1309439492676286076.post-89406495279197507002011-05-09T20:41:00.002+01:002011-05-18T21:03:13.440+01:00Create a Cellular Beam Family - A Method - Part 1 - Shared Parameters & Catalogue<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Shared Parameters</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><object height="275" width="342"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rxYRaQZ1kZU?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rxYRaQZ1kZU?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Create Shared Parameters as follows (parameter type shown in brackets):</span><br /><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cell Pitch </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Length)</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cell Diameter </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Length)</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Section Top </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Family Type : Generic Model)</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Section Top Depth </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Length)</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Section Btm </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Family Type : Generic Model)</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Section Btm Depth&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Length)</span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span><br /><ul></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Catalogue</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cellular beam family here will be composed of sections from UK steel stock, UB (Universal Beam) sections and a catalogue of sizes will be required. At Waterman, we create our standard catalogues from scratch, using compiled information from the <a href="http://www.corusconstruction.com/en/design_guidance/the_blue_book/">Tata/Corus Online 'Blue Book'</a>. and extra parameter that we use (as opposed to the OOTB catalogues).&nbsp;These master catalogues are held as csv files, then copied and renamed to the appropriate family type catalogue txt file. For information on creating type catalogues, refer to the Revit help files. The type catalogue will drive parameters in the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Generic Model Steel Half Beam Family'</span></div>Darren Snookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12903139495801907608noreply@blogger.com0